Download Nutritional Supplements: Ingredients, Safety, and Proper Use

Nutritional Supplements: Ingredients, Safety and Proper Use
Can someone have an allergy to canola oil?
Although it may be possible to have an allergy to proteins found in the plant from which canola oil is extracted, it is
unlikely to have a true allergic reaction to canola oil. This is due to several factors. First, most plant oils are poor
allergens because they contain very little protein. It is not the oil but the protein (which is usually considered an
impurity of manufacturing) that causes an allergic reaction. When properly processed, high-quality canola oil will have
very low levels of protein particulate matter; thus, the likelihood of an allergic reaction is extremely low. Even people
with life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to peanuts generally do not react to highly processed and purified peanut
oil. A simple test for potential allergenicity is to hold a clear container of oil up to light and note its clarity. Clear, noncloudy oil is likely to be free of potential allergens. Olive oil is one example of oil that contains high amounts of protein
"impurities," although in the case of olive oil these impurities are generally considered beneficial. In any case, if you
have concerns about your potential for a negative reaction, you should discuss these concerns with your health-care
provider.
Is it true that human strains of probiotics are the best?
Partly. While it is true that the most beneficial probiotics (friendly bacteria) can be isolated from human digestive
tracts, certainly not all strains found there are healthful. In the womb, the baby's digestive tract is virtually sterile; the
bacteria that will grow there following birth are due to exposure from the mother in the birth canal or during breastfeeding. Historically, our diet has contained additional sources of probiotics, including yogurt, buttermilk, fermented
cheeses and even sauerkraut. So-called "human strains" of probiotics did not originate in humans therefore, but
originally came from consuming them as part of a healthy diet. There are hundreds of different strains of bacteria
living in the colon of a healthy person. Some of them confer benefits to humans, others are potentially harmful and
some can be either. A better question would be to determine the specific bacteria strains' potential to provide reliable
and consistent health benefits. Much research has been done in this area of human nutrition and your health-care
provider can discuss this with you.
What are colloidal minerals?
A "colloid" is a chemical description of a gel-like suspension. Therefore, colloidal minerals are blends of minerals
found in some form of suspension or solution. Generally, commercially available colloidal minerals are produced from
mining ancient sea beds, and then mixing the mined minerals with water or other fluid to hold them in solution. While
these products provide a large number of minerals, there is no credible scientific evidence to support marketing
claims for superior absorption or bioavailability. They may even contain relatively high levels of unwanted minerals
such as aluminum, lead or mercury (which of course are naturally occurring), or of other contaminants.
While it is true that optimal health depends upon an adequate intake of all essential nutrients, fewer than 20 minerals
are known to be essential for humans. The exact role of other trace elements, as well as our intake of these
micronutrients from food, remains to be clarified. A better solution than consuming expensive and unproven products
would be to eat a healthy diet, made up of lots of mineral-rich vegetables and whole grains.
What is myo-inositol, and how does it differ from "regular" inositol?
Myo-inositol is one of eight naturally occurring forms that make up the nutrient inositol. Each one has a slightly
different shape and they are individually referred to as isomers. The myo-inositol isomer is the most abundant form
found in the central nervous system, where it can be converted into phosphatidyl inositol, a second-messenger
neurotransmitter. Inositol is the term used to describe the entire group of isomers together.
What is MSM?
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a biologically valuable source of sulfur and sulfur is important for joint tissue
support. However, other nutrients are also supportive of joint health. Along with MSM, such nutrients include
glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins C and E and specific amino acids. While optimal joint support must start with a
healthy and varied diet, nutritional supplements may be useful. However, it is important that your health-care provider
be aware of all supplements, herbs or medicines you are taking, so please be sure to bring up these questions on
your next visit to this office.
What is the Glycemic Index?
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a ranking of foods on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise
blood sugar levels after eating. Glucose is given a relative number of 100 to provide a baseline to which all others can
be compared. For example, an apple has a Glycemic Index of 38, which is less than half that of glucose but higher
than soybeans, which have a Glycemic Index of 18. Other common foods and their corresponding Glycemic indices
are corn flakes (84), dark rye bread (80) and bananas (54).
What's the difference between indole-3-carbinol (I-3-C) and DIM?
Indole-3-carbinol (I-3-C) is the chemical name of a substance naturally occurring in cruciferous vegetables such as
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. Scientists studying the health benefits of I-3-C for a number of
years believe it helps protect against certain types of cancers -- such as breast and uterine -- because of its impact
on the metabolism of estrogen in the body. Scientists also know that I-3-C is converted in the stomach to a different
chemical called di-indolylmethane (DIM) when it comes in contact with digestive juices -- and DIM is believed to be
the major "active" metabolite, meaning that it has been shown to carry most, if not all, of the health-benefits ascribed
to I-3-C.
The question might then be raised: "Why not just isolate and take a DIM supplement, if that's the active ingredient or
metabolite?" The answer is that, while DIM has shown interesting benefits, it is by no means the only active
ingredient converted from I-3-C; in fact, more than 20 metabolites of I-3-C have been identified. These other
metabolites have also been to shown to have potential benefits. For example, one of them -- called ICZ -- is believed
to enhance the body's fight against toxic substances that cause cancer by damaging DNA. Another similar example is
the difference between mixed carotenoids and a single carotenoid like beta-carotene. It has been shown that taking
all the carotenoids together as they occur in your diet provides greater health benefits than taking beta-carotene
alone.
To recap, I-3-C is converted in the body to many substances, one of which is DIM. Taking a supplement containing
only DIM would deprive you of the potential benefits of those other metabolites.
Is it best to take glutamine-containing supplements with food or without
food?
Glutamine-containing supplements can be taken with or without food.
Why does N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have such a strong smell?
N-acetylcysteine is a sulfur-containing compound and the sulfur gives it a very strong odor. Sulfur's characteristic
"rotten-egg" smell is called that because eggs contain high amounts of sulfur and, as eggs decay, that sulfur is freed
and releases its odor.
I am taking lithium, and have heard that myo-inositol might be good for
control of depression as well. Is it safe to take them together?
Not without specifically discussing this question with your health-care provider. In this case, myo-inositol may reduce
or diminish the effects of lithium. You should always discuss any medications, nutritional supplements or herbs with
your health-care provider to ensure maximum benefit to you. Be sure to bring up this and any other nutritional or
medical question on your next visit.
Isn't it better to use glucosamine on its own without chondroitin?
Both glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin have been shown to beneficial for support of joints and connective tissue.
The specific combination most suited to your needs may contain both together along with other nutrients, as recent
research has shown that a mixture of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate is more efficacious
than taking glucosamine only. However, since every case is individual, it is important to discuss this with your
practitioner in more detail.
Is glucosamine vegetarian?
No, glucosamine is derived from crab shell.
What makes amino acid chelated minerals better than other types of
minerals?
Whether from foods or in supplements, minerals have to be combined with a "carrier" molecule in order to be
absorbed. When this molecule is a fragment of protein (an amino acid) and the mineral-amino acid compound forms
a stable molecule, it is referred to as an amino acid chelate. Because the body is very efficient at absorbing amino
acids, chelated minerals are more easily transported across the intestinal wall than are nonchelated minerals.
What does porcine mean?
Porcine means derived from pig.
Where is the best source of bovine raw glandulars?
Glandular materials start out as healthy (or unhealthy) as the animals from which they are made. For this reason, all
reputable processors of glandular concentrates will use only USDA-inspected animals as the original source. The
highest quality glandular materials will be made from animals grown in a healthier environment. New Zealand beef
cattle make the best source of bovine glandular concentrates, because they are free-range rather than lot-raised, and
fed pasture grasses and hay rather than cattle feed. Additionally, New Zealand is one of the only countries in the
world considered completely free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and other "transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies" (TSEs).
What is BSE and how can I prevent exposure to it?
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also called "mad cow disease," is a fatal neurological disease in cows
though to be caused by consuming contaminated animal feed. Some countries have included in cattle feed ground up
animal parts including brains and nervous systems of animals killed for food. Some of these animals had early stages
BSE and the infectious agent was passed on to the animals that consumed the feed. There is now evidence that
some people who ate the meat from animals infected with BSE became infected themselves. Nearly 100 people have
now died from what are now called "transmissible spongiform encephalopathies" (TSEs), which are believed to result
from eating BSE-contaminated beef.
Although the only sure way to prevent TSE exposure is to avoid its source (contaminated beef) that does not mean
you should become a vegetarian. For example, the United States is believed to be free of BSE-infected cattle and
New Zealand produces beef (and other animal meat) that is certified BSE-free. Selecting meat from New Zealand
and other BSE-free countries would be wise for anyone concerned about BSE exposure. If you have further
questions, please bring them up during your next office visit.
Will deglycyrrhizinized licorice (DGL) affect my blood pressure?
The active substance that can affect blood pressure, glycyrrhizic acid, has been removed from DGL. It will most likely
not have an effect on blood pressure, but it's important to raise the question because there is a possibility that certain
herbs could interfere with medications you may be taking. You should be sure to discuss these questions with your
health-care provider on your next visit.
Should supplements be taken with food or away from food?
Certain supplements are meant to support the digestive process itself, so of course they should be taken at or near
mealtime. In those cases, your health-care provider probably gave you specific instructions.
Otherwise, no scientific studies have been conducted to definitively answer whether absorption of vitamins and
minerals is better when supplements are taken with meals or away from meals, and a case could be made for either
position. However, many people find that taking supplements with their meals has the benefits of convenience and
reduced potential for stomach upset.